The Replacement Series Videos is a series of video drills that focus on simple yet highly effective ways to replace the old school, warn out drills with new, unique, fresh tennis tips. Following is a YouTube link to The Replacement Series Video #6: Return of Serve
The Replacement Series Videos TIP #6: Return of Serve
Frank discusses how different return of serve positions and shot options are organized.
The following post is an excerpt from Championship Tennis. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Return of Serve: Reading Serving Positions and Tendencies
As mentioned in the previous chapter, taking different positions along the baseline can offer the server better angles into the service box. A right-handed server may stand a few feet over to the left while preparing to deliver an extreme kick serve out wide on the ad side. A perceptive returner will spot the shift along the baseline and then slide over toward the doubles alley to intercept the wide serve.
Realizing that an opponent is repeatedly hitting the same bland slice serve down the T to the forehand on the advantage side should tip off an aware returner and instigate an offensive attack. The returner should hold a neutral position until the ball toss leaves the server’s hand; then, with a fast first step, the returner should quickly slide to the right to deliver an offensive forehand blow.
Reading the server often includes making educated guesses based on previous experience. Advanced opponents will choose to run the same “winning” service patterns on important points. By anticipating the serve and disrupting the pattern from the first ball, the returner will put himself in the advantage to start the point. When players practice
the art of paying attention, it pays off match after match.
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate
The following post is an excerpt from Championship Tennis. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Reading the Server
Anticipatory skills are one of the most important elements in a player’s ability to execute
effective returns of serve. Knowing the intended serve location before the ball is struck
is a serious advantage for the returner. How does it work? Basically, spotting and understanding
those millisecond clues aid the brain’s ability to send the desired motor program
down the nervous system to recruit the appropriate muscles in the appropriate fashion.
Again, this is a learned behavior that requires time and commitment. Exceptions shadow
every rule, but the following sections describe the most frequent serving cues.
Returns of Serve: Watching the Server’s Preparation
While in the ready position, the returner should study the server’s eyes. Servers often unknowingly give away their intentions by staring down their target. The returner should be coy; he can give that corner of the box plenty of space—that is, until the server tosses the ball. Then he should quickly and quietly slide into position to crush the return.
In addition to watching the opponent’s line of sight, the returner should pay attention to any other possible “tells.” In Andre Agassi’s autobiography, Open, he shares a story that illustrates this point. When returning Boris Becker’s massive serve, Agassi noticed that if “Boom Boom” was about to serve to the left side of Agassi’s service box, Becker
would stick his tongue out of the left side of his mouth. If he was about to deliver a body serve, his tongue would point straight out the center of his mouth. Before each serve to the right side of the box—you guessed it—Becker would stick his tongue out of the right side of his mouth. Agassi could anticipate the intended serve and jump all over it.
Anticipatory skills are one of the most important elements in a player’s ability to execute effective returns of serve. Knowing the intended serve location before the ball is struck is a serious advantage for the returner. How does it work? Basically, spotting and understanding those millisecond clues aid the brain’s ability to send the desired motor program down the nervous system to recruit the appropriate muscles in the appropriate fashion. Again, this is a learned behavior that requires time and commitment. Exceptions shadow every rule, but the following sections describe the most frequent serving cues. (For more info- Championship Tennis)
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate
The following post is an excerpt from Championship Tennis. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Return of Serve Mind Set
Regardless of the type of opponent or a player’s style of play, the most important thing regarding the return of serve is to simply start the point. This may seem obvious, but unfortunately, most players are overly aggressive and try to end the point with their first strike. The psychological task on a return of serve is twofold. First, when returning first serves, the returner’s goal is to demoralize opponents by consistently getting the ball back in play. Big servers are accustomed to receiving free points. A steady return sends this message: No free or cheap points today. Also, the return of the second serve provides the opportunity to punish the server for delivering a weak ball. As mentioned previously, offensive, short-ball options may include crushing a winner, hitting a chip and charge, placing a drop shot, or using the side-door pattern.
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
Affiliate
Preparing For Pressure EBook
$8.99
THE SOFT SCIENCE OF TENNIS Paperback
$8.99
5 Hour Training Session
$1,000.00